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Aditya Birla Group Scholarships: Batch
Saima Rashid: BITS ( Pilani) Pilani
Determination personified
'We are shaped by our thoughts. We become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves' – Buddha.
Saima hails from a small town in Punjab, but this fact has never hampered her ambition, zeal and motivation to learn nor has it prevented her from exploiting any chance of potential growth. Her interest in computers developed during class 9 when she was a dynamic teenager filled with enthusiasm. She believes that a good mentor can inspire hope, ignite the imagination, instill a craving to learn. She was inspired by the teacher who taught her Java in a highly elaborate way, explaining its concepts and applications wonderfully. She was impressed by the fantastic world of programming and it was here that she decided to pursue her newfound hobby as a career.
When she came to know about BITS, Pilani, all she aspired to do was get admission into this institute. While her family supported her, she took her critics' views in her stride and used it to push herself further. She was determined to get into the institute of her dreams and burnt the midnight oil to accomplish her goals. She became the 'Punjab Board Topper' and achieved the impossible – she scored a perfect 100!
At the end of 4 years in BITS, she wants to focus in honing her abilities, rather than on success. She wants to grow as an honest person, professionally strong and devoted to her responsibilities. She wishes to use her knowledge as well as strength for the betterment of humanity.
Akshay Johri : IIM Bangalore
Getting a wider perspective
Akshay has always admired people who possess a wide perspective of thinking. He believes that a wide perspective helps connect seemingly unrelated things and make sense out of them. And that's what makes a visionary.
He was born in Moradabad. His father being an engineer and mother an M.Sc. in chemistry, Akshay's focus has always been on studies. He was a good student throughout school and college and also a regular on the merit lists. His father believes that education should be free from all pressures, which is why he maintains one shouldn't take an education loan.
His interest in computers took him to Manipal for an engineering degree in computer science, and then to some good organizations where he developed his problem solving and algorithmic skills. However, the responsibilities of technical roles limited the opportunities to contribute to the business directly. This was when Akshay decided to experiment with himself.
He believes that a new environment gives the opportunity to change, and IIM Bangalore is giving him an opportunity to learn about things which, as an engineer, he didn't know much about. He wants to enable quality education for the youth and work for their inclusion in decisions of the public domain. He wants to live a life where his actions touch the lives of millions of people.
Amit Hooda : IIM Calcutta
Public policy for the public good
"Labor omnia vincit" (labour conquers everything) is the defining tenet that Amit's parents have taught him. His father is a welder and his mother a homemaker, and both were born into a family of farmers. It was their hard work and determination that resulted in Amit becoming the first graduate in the family.
Amit believes in Plato's injunction: "The punishment suffered by the wise, who refuse to take part in governance, is to live under the governance of bad men". Having himself made the transition from an agricultural to a middle-class background, he understands the impact that public policy can have on the lives of the people.
Amit wants to bring about a change for the better from outside the government sector by working in a consulting firm catering to government agencies. He believes his learning at IIMC and the rich technical experience of working in Samsung's R&D department would help him devise and implement efficient, economic and sustainable solutions.He cites government projects like e-Governance and Digital India as examples, which could unleash the next big wave of change in India, particularly in rural areas.
He joined IIM Calcutta to acquire skills in the areas of problem-solving, organization management, communication, presentation, leadership and teamwork. Armed with these competencies, he aims to venture into the field of management consulting, specializing in public policy.
Avni Jain: IIM Ahmedabad
The call of entrepreneurship
Avni credits her parents for teaching her the importance of aspiring for the skies while keeping her feet on the ground. Her mother gave up her job to take care of the family, and this had a profound impact on Avni's thinking. She feels that women shouldn't limit themselves to being homemakers; they should unlock their full potential by building their careers. Her father, with his rational and liberal outlook, instilled this attitude in her, and encouraged her to work hard to achieve her goals.
After engineering, Avni joined Goldman Sachs as a strategist to leverage her quantitative aptitude. During her training in New York, she participated in a business simulation, where she led a team of four in running a yacht company for a four-year time frame and secured the 1st position. The vicarious thrill she experienced kindled the spark for entrepreneurship. She also got first-hand experience of it when she helped her brother expand his event management business to two cities. She proclaims entrepreneurship to be her forte as she is able to leverage her rational thinking and people skills effectively.
However, running a business requires an in-depth understanding of the various disciplines of management, so she considers an MBA as a necessity for her.Her ultimate goal is to be counted amongst India's "40 under 40". To achieve this, she intends to take up consulting after her MBA, as she believes the exposure to various sectors and functions, business networking, and working with higher management will prove to be invaluable assets when she sets up her own business.
Devdatta Patankar: IIM Ahmedabad
A desire to excel
When he was five years old, Devdatta wanted to become a traffic policeman. His mother remarked that she didn't mind if he became a cobbler, but he should work to become the best cobbler in the city. This freedom to explore meant that Devdatta grew up with a solid foundation of hard work, pragmatism and a burning desire to excel.
Devdatta counts himself lucky to be a part of numerous illustrious institutions throughout his career, whose distinct cultures have helped shape him. At IIT Bombay, he was humbled by the sheer brilliance of the peer group. While designing the telemetry system of an award winning BAJA car, he derived great satisfaction from creating products because of their tangible nature. Two years as an assistant manager at ITC Limited gave him the confidence to get things done under trying circumstances.
Devdatta dreams of becoming the chief operating officer of a manufacturing company. His wish is to create products that touch the everyday lives of people. A large corporation offers a tremendous scale which he plans to leverage to create the maximum impact.
He sees the PGP course at IIM Ahmedabad as a crucible where he will be tested daily and pushed to the limits of his abilities. He believes he has the right mix of youth and experience to appreciate new concepts and apply them in his work, and feels that the rigorous pedagogy will teach him to take quick decisions. He wants to leave a mark as a hands-on leader with a passionate drive for efficiency and innovation.
Harbani Lamba: IIM Indore
Made for management
Much of Harbani's personality has been shaped by her upbringing in an army household. It gave her the discipline and structure to grow up to be an ambitious and driven person. She always wanted a career in management. Being the head girl of the student council and the secretary of the business club gave her the required platform to polish her leadership skills. She believes she embodies the amalgamation of intelligence, creativity and organizational skills very well.
Naturally then, she decided to study commerce and understand the business world. She completed her graduation as a bachelor of commerce with honours from the University of Delhi. Her career goal is to be a successful business leader and to be recognized as a valuable contributor to the industry, irrespective of the formal designation she holds.
Harbani's short-term goal is to get as much knowledge and exposure in the field of management and be fully prepared for her corporate career. In 8-10 years, she sees herself managing the sales and marketing function of a reputable FMCG company in India. This particular field appeals to her because she feels it harmonises her technical aptitude and creative abilities very well. In the long run, she would like to further her expertise and gain international exposure as a senior executive in a global firm.
Kaushallendra : IIM Bangalore
Changing lives through economic growth
Growing up, Kaushallendra was used to hearing this from his father: "Son, if you really want to make a difference in the world, think like the Tatas and Birlas". His mother is a professor and his father a principal. He has witnessed his father's struggle to improve the higher education system in Bihar.
Kaushallendra is impressed by the contribution of business houses to the welfare of society by economic development. He believes that the best way to empower people is by involving them in the growth journey of our country. His goal is to establish sustainable, profitable business models that empower the rural population and also have a social value proposition.
Always doing his bit for society, be it in the Orissa cyclone relief operations, Teach to Transform, Tata Steel rural development society, computer education, or Helpage India, he feels there is lot more to be done. He feels the need to make it big; to impact millions. And he is certain this can happen by economic development.
Kaushallendra worked with Tata Steel for four years and was impressed with their CSR activities. However, he felt the need to have a better understanding of the corporate culture and have the relevant skills to pursue his ambitions. This is what led him to pursue an MBA from IIM Bangalore, a place where he could interact with the finest minds of the country and get ideas and implementation strategies for the inclusive development of India. He wants to groom himself with all the necessary skills required to be a passionate corporate leader.
He says he would love to be associated with like-minded established business houses to ensure that the community remains not only a stakeholder but the very purpose of existence of business. It would be a matter of great pride for him and would give him the confidence to go ahead with his plans with renewed energy and passion.
Manas Madhup : IIM Calcutta
Technology can transform lives
It's the potential of technology to transform society that excites Manas. His initial interest in technology led him to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Electronics & Instrumentation Engineering from BITS, Pilani. He undertook numerous research projects during his course, such as building a novel and low-cost prosthetic hand under the guidance of Rhodes Scholar Dr. Edmund Biden.
After graduation, he joined Qualcomm, an organization that pushed him to his limits and honed his ability to work in rapidly changing scenarios. He was gradually assigned more responsibilities and was made the design lead, where he coordinated the design activities of two chips.
Manas believes that while most technology companies have similar engineering talent, their success depends on the ability of the leadership team to grasp emerging trends. With the skills he has accumulated, he believes it is the right time to move to a higher leadership position.
In the short term, he plans to work in a business development position such as a product manager in a technology company. He believes that an MBA from IIM Calcutta will help him develop a holistic understanding of business management and the leadership ability necessary to be a successful business executive. In the long term, Manas wants to establish a successful educational company.
Nishiggandha Y. Kerure: IIM Shillong
Educating children, enabling futures
Nishiggandha believes the zeal to excel in life is intrinsic to one's nature and this attribute has helped her succeed in life. Growing up in the heart of Maharashtra, she witnessed the sufferings of poverty and drought first-hand. The hardships faced by the community in her surroundings prompted her to create a better life for herself. She realized that most people don't get an opportunity to do so, and this motivated her to work for their empowerment too.
She volunteered as an assistant teacher at a municipality school in Mumbai, where she got a chance to observe closely the challenges that urban India faced with regards to education. Having previously experienced the rural education system, she was able to identify gaps that were prevalent at all levels. She hopes to contribute in these dimensions so that every child can reach its potential.
Nishiggandha feels an MBA will help her put a structure to these ideas and build a sustainable venture from them. It would also enable her to deal with the complexities of working with varied stakeholders. On the completion of her course, she aims to create a feasible education model that equips young minds with not just textbook knowledge, but also copious amounts of skill. The focus would be on supporting children and their passions to make them self-sufficient and thinking individuals.
Pallavi Dani: IIM Lucknow
Behavioural science meets marketing
Born in a family of doctors and lawyers in a small town in Chhattisgarh, Pallavi was encouraged to read a great deal from a very young age. Books have been her best companions since then and eventually led her to becoming interested in human behaviour and the way we make decisions.
To gain more knowledge in this area, Pallavi took a course on principles of marketing at VIT. The theories in marketing explained the applications of behavioural science in daily life. To pursue this interest outside academics as well, she organized a marketing case challenge at the International Technical Fest at VIT, which was attended by more than 120 participants.
At Mu Sigma, she got the opportunity to solve diverse marketing and merchandising related problems for a leading US retailer. She learned how small details such as product placement on store shelves can significantly influence consumer behaviour. She wanted to be able to implement such insights to improve business outcomes. To achieve this, she realized the need for a sound foundation in business fundamentals and hence decided to pursue management education.
Post MBA, Pallavi wants to work in the role of a brand manager where she is able to use her knowledge in the management principles coupled with her work experience to identify opportunities and deliver superior customer value. She aspires to be the head of a new business unit where she can create a brand from scratch and take it to the international level. Staying true to her love for literature, in the long run, she wants to author a book about her learnings in her field.
Soumyasree Chakraborty: IIM Calcutta
Entrepreneur with a Social Agenda
Soumyasree belongs to a lower middle-class family from Kolkata. She credits her parents for developing in her an ardent zeal to learn and excel. It motivated her to become the school topper and the first engineer in the family.
She graduated in electrical engineering from Jadavpur University and joined Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL). Her four year tenure at IOCL presented an opportunity to work on improving productivity and transparency in diverse areas like procurement optimization, energy conservation and ISO certification. Her stints as the team leader in these projects honed her problem-solving, negotiation and communication skills.
But the life-changing experience for Soumyasree was her stay at Haldia: seeing farmers forced to become labourers, a few of them committing suicide, children being deprived of good education, and teenage girls being married off. All of this was happening just 130 km from Kolkata. Soumyasree did her bit and organized a group of colleagues to teach and mentor underprivileged children. But the feeling of not doing enough kept ticking at the back of her head. It was around this time that she came to read about social entrepreneurship, and she thus decided to pursue an MBA to gain a holistic view before starting her own venture.
At IIMC, she aims to understand the crucial aspects of establishing and running a business and take advantage of the Innovation Park. After graduating, she aims to work in a corporate house that works actively for social development. There she intends to understand the entire value chain, how to make sustainable business models that meet the interests of all stakeholders, and build a network with like-minded people.
Eventually, she wants to start her own for-profit social enterprise to build model villages in West Bengal, with self-sustaining livelihoods, healthcare facilities, 24/7 electricity from renewable sources, and 100% literacy. She hopes to achieve this by creating an education system that focuses on the development of intellectual and creative faculties and on real life issues.
Udit Jalan : IIM Bangalore
Best of both worlds: technology and management
Udit has grown up in a family of entrepreneurs. His father is a first generation entrepreneur who set up a textile-processing factory. The workings of the complex machines and power systems always intrigued him and it was then that he decided to pursue engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (lITB). His undergraduate education at IITB enabled him to take a deep dive into technology and in particular, electrical and computer engineering. What he studied deeply excited him and he did well academically, ranking 1st among 800+ students across all departments of IITB with a CGPA of 9.93/ 10.Keen to apply the skills he had honed at IITB, he spent his summer breaks pursuing research internships at the Carnegie Mellon University and the Johns Hopkins University. Here, he was able to apply fundamental theories to solve problems –from building a wireless device, to measuring a rat's EEG signals, to developing an energy management system.
After graduation, he joined Deutsche Bank in the Quantitative Product Development division, as he saw it as an excellent opportunity to apply concepts from electrical and computer engineering to finance. His experience at Deutsche Bank taught him that while there would be a particular area in which one specializes, it is essential to have a broad understanding across the marketing, operations, business strategy and finance domains. It was this realization that led him to pursue a management course from IIM Bangalore.
After graduating from IIMB, he plans to work as a product manager in a technology company. He feels that a product manger's role is a unique one as it lies at the intersection of technology and business. It is often equated to being a CEO of a particular product. He believes that the holistic business perspective that he will develop at IIMB in combination with a deep understanding and passion for technology, will equip him to be a successful product manager. This experience would also serve as a stepping-stone towards his long-term goal of creating value using innovating technological solutions by starting his own entrepreneurial venture.
Abhishek Goyal: IIT Guwahati
Using his knowledge for India
Although Abhishek hails from a place where the educational background is not strong, his family has always been supportive of his studies. To become a great man and rise to a position of respect in the society, he decided to take the path of higher studies. He chose science and mathematics and prepared hard to get into IIT. Unfortunately, he lost his father while he was in class 12th. This was a life-changing incident that had a severe impact on him. But he came through the tough times with the support of his family.
He was interested in the computer science branch and is delighted he was able to get into this field in an institution like IIT, Guwahati. His first aim is to do his best in academics and complete his course with great grades. His next goal is to start working in a multinational company to gain more knowledge and experience. Throughout this time, Abhishek wants to work towards building a strong foundation to begin his own work which is beneficial to the people of India and leads his nation towards progress.
Alekhya Reddy Kommuru: IIT Madras
Building a solar energy powered world
Alekhya strongly feels that even in the 21st century, we still have a dearth of inexpensive solar cells, good pharmaceutical solutions to diseases and safe chemicals or fertilizers. This has made her think about ways in which she can repay the society which helped her. This small seed of thought has grown into a well-planned vision. Being the daughter of a B. Tech Food Technologist, she has seen her father strive to achieve perfection in his field. These aspects of her life led her to take up Chemical Engineering in IIT Madras. The main objective of her life is to produce a solar cell which is cost-effective, and can be used in every house for their daily needs. Her aim is to address energy scarcity issue through this technology. She wants to improve her knowledge by completing her PhD in this field, which can improve every single person's life.
Ankur Abhinav: IIT Kharagpur
Digital safety for India
Admission in IIT Kharagpur itself was a dream come true for Ankur, but what made it more special was that he got into the Computer Science and Engineering Department. He had always dreamt of achieving great heights in technology and of serving his nation.
The inclination towards computers developed right at the beginning when he was introduced to the subject back in Class 8 in a shiny new, air-conditioned lab. He had always had interest in technology but hadn't got it chance to study it before, and therefore found it difficult to grasp. But once he learnt the ropes, he began to excel and his dreams grew bigger.
He would imagine himself surrounded by computers, circuits and monitors as he remained completely engrossed in coding. He decided to give it his all for the preparation of IIT JEE - to achieve what he had dreamt and study this subject at the best place in the country.
He observes that today most of the crimes are committed using the Internet. He believes that science is just a tool which can be used for good or bad - it only awakens the world to its possibilities. Most of the crimes today are performed by the misuse of science, and most particularly the internet. Cyber crimes are at their peak and in a world where most of the information are stored digitally, this can become a great risk to the nation very soon. This has made him more determined to work actively in the field of cyber security and cryptography.
His main philosophy is 'India First'. The fact that very few people in India get the opportunity to work in this field while living in India is indicative of the lack of opportunities offered in this country in this sector. Ankur plans to change that serving his motherland through his skills of data protection and increase the awareness and prospects for this field.
Arihant Jain: IIT Kanpur
Exploring new avenues
The last four years have led to Arihant pursuing mathematics and science after Class 10th and eventually resulted in him choosing computer science and engineering in IIT, Kanpur. In 9th and 10th standard, he enjoyed solving puzzles and questions that involved reasoning and logic. He also developed an interest in non-routine mathematics which does not involve any fixed formula, but solve it using basic definitions and logic. After winning two gold medals at IYMC, Lucknow and winning interschool mathematics competition in Noida, and other such competitions boosted his confidence.
As he was interested in logic and reasoning he was advised to take computer science and engineering. The reason for choosing IIT Kanpur is that it had a very flexible course structure which provides a lot of opportunities to students. Here he can study different disciplines along with his core subjects. In the coming years he plans to learn new stuff and take part in the extra-curricular activities to discover his talents. Arihant believes that these four years will provide the foundation where he will learn a lot of new things and be able to take the right call for his future.
Bharat Satish Khandelwal: IIT Mumbai
Thirst for knowledge
With all his close family members being achievers in the commerce field, Bharat always thought his choice was clear – to follow in his family's footsteps. During childhood, apart from sports, he loved to spend most of his free time studying textbooks of advanced classes. In Class 9, he decided to join an institute for JEE coaching with the intention of using his time more effectively as well as for the sheer joy of learning something new. This is where he was able to identify his true calling – engineering. His parents were highly supportive of his decision to break away from the family's educational background and encouraged him to pursue his passion.
With the new-found goal of becoming an engineer, he sharpened his focus and cleared the JEE with flying colours. Bharat chose Computer Science and Engineering as his branch.Programming appeals to him the most as it is based on his two favorite topics – Logic and Mathematics. He aims to become a full-fledged programmer by the end of his course. He is already contemplating which path he will go on to pursue after graduation -M.Tech, research, MBA or IAS.
Patriotism is a value deeply inculcated in Bharat and one thing is absolutely clear in his mind – he wants to use his knowledge and work to help in the progress of his homeland.
Bhaswati Deka: IIT Guwahati
Building a stronger foundation
Bhaswati is from IIT Guwahati, currently studying in the B. tech programme in the Civil Department. She counts herself lucky to be studying her favorite subject at such a prestigious institute. Her aim is to develop the infrastructure of her native land, which lies in an earthquake prone area. She wants to get involved and contribute to the various on-going projects. She looks forward to visit the sites where the projects have already started to get a firsthand experience. One of the problems close to her heart is the water project on the Subansiri river. She wants to explore her subject in order to investigate the difficulties in the project and eventually help in sorting the issue. She believes that the Aditya Birla Scholarship is the perfect means for her to help fulfill her dreams of giving something back to the society. She is a responsible citizen who has a wonderful dream of seeing India free again – free from its misery, poverty, corruption and crimes. Her vision is to build cost-effective, disaster-resistant houses and buildings to help India become one of the developed nations of the world.
Harshit Sushil Sikchi: IIT Kharagpur
Bridging medicine and engineering
Born into a legacy of well-learned and socially responsible parents, and brought up in a family of doctors and engineers, Harshit wants to shoulder the responsibility to make fruitful contributions to these fields. He believes that this is possible through the use of computers and technology. He had always aimed to choose computer science as his field of study since it is an ever-evolving field.
His aim is to conduct research in the field of cell physiology to make it possible to fabricate customized human organs. His long-term goal is to facilitate information exchange between engineering and medical fields. He wants to develop cost-effective solutions for these highly sophisticated systems that will make healthcare cheaper and more accessible, contributing to the welfare of society and eventually the country.
Harshvardhan : IIT Delhi
Bringing technology to all
Harshvardhan belongs to a middle class family of small town Supaul, Bihar. Quest for learning has always motivated him to excel academically. He has been a topper in every class since childhood till XII! This determination led him to successfully clear many national level examinations like Olympiads, NTSE, KVPY. His interest in science was nurtured by his father who himself is a post-graduate in the Science stream. He was always fascinated by natural phenomena and used to be thrilled when his father explained the cause behind each one. This cemented the belief to pursue further studies in Science. The turning point in his life was when he moved to Kota in his IX standard. Here he was able to cultivate his interests and explore new avenues. He decided to pursue a career in engineering so that he can be a great resource to his country and be able to help people. As a result, he joined IIT Delhi. Upon completion of his B.Tech., he wants to pursue MS to enhance his skill set. His aim is to develop cost-effective solutions by generating biological alternatives to technological analogues. He also dreams of supporting the underprivileged section and work for them in a real sense. He wants to utilize every opportunity provided at IITD by participating in extra-curriculars to enrich his personality and life skills. He believes that dedication and hard work can turn any stone. Above all, Harshvardhan wants stay true to his parents' teachings - to be a good human being and an inspiration for others.
Kudumula Aahwan Reddy: IIT Mumbai
Turning dreams into reality
Kudumula believes that the background has a deep impact on one as a person. For him, one of the key factors to achieve anything in life is intrinsic motivation which stems directly from the background and the conditions faced. Belonging to a generation which has seen the complete transformation of life through technology, he has always found it thrilling to learn more about new technology. As he was growing up, one of the biggest realizations he had was that the world will completely change in the decades to come and his inner voice urged him to be a part of that change.
Kudumula is the son of a farmer. One morning his father took him out to their land and told him about his dream to see him in a big position in life. This was a life-changing moment for Kudumula. An idea took ground in his mind that day - to start a company of his own at the same place where his father cultivated land. He told this to his father immediately. His parents supported him wholeheartedly and appreciated his ability to think big. From that day that thought became an obsession. With his father's encouragement, he began meeting people already in the Information Technology field. He faced derision from some of them, but others had valuable suggestions. After weighing all the options – he formulated a plan for the future - first a B. Tech in CSE, followed by few years of job experience and then to complete his MBA. He believes that this is will help him hone his abilities to start a company.
On that day, he decided to aim only for the best at all possible levels. IIT Bombay is the best place in the country for doing B. Tech in CSE so he started working for getting a good JEE rank so as to get admission into IITB. After 2 years of hard work and determination he cleared JEE with AIR-6 thereby achieving his first target - admission into IIT-B. He believes that motivation is what gets one started and commitment is what keeps one going. Upon completion of his B. Tech at IIT-B, he wants to work in the industry for 3-4 years. He is planning to do his MBA at London Business School. His commitment is what is transforming his dreams into reality. His level of commitment and belief in his dreams is extraordinary – he has already zeroed in on the name, logo and caption of his dream company! This is his dream and he is determined to make it his future.
Majeti Siva Sai Venkata Sri Harsha: IIT Roorkee
Using his knowledge for his nation
Harsha is from a small village called Amarthaluru. Despite facing many difficulties, his parents raised him to become a well-learned and disciplined student. He gives his parents' hard work, support and encouragement full credit for him being able to make it into one of the prestigious institutes of the country today – IIT, Roorkee. He wants to do well in his chosen course of computer science to make his parents proud.
Harsha's potential was discovered by his mathematics teacher in Class 7. He encouraged him to solve complex problems, thus leading to a budding interest in the field of engineering. He has an excellent academic record with a 9.7 GPA in Class 10th and 98.5 in Inter. Since school, he began to wonder about the workings of advanced machines and computers. He was very surprised to find out that even small changes in the code can change the results so drastically. Thus began his quest for knowledge, kindled by a strong desire to know more.
He is currently pursuing Computer Science, a course which enables him to indulge in his two main interests – programming and logic. After completing his engineering, he wants to take up a job to lay the foundations of his organization 'VR1', through which he intends to help children who are talented but did not get a chance to shine. He also wishes to serve his country by becoming an IAS officer in the long run. He wants to contribute as much as he can using his knowledge in computers and all his skills.
Sakaet Dingliwal: IIT Delhi
Giving back to society
Sakaet Dingliwal, belongs to a middle class family from Pilani, Rajasthan. His father is a Chartered Accountant while mother is housewife. He has completed his schooling from DAV Public School, Amritsar. From the very beginning, his main area of interest has been Science and Technology. His curiosity is piqued each time he sees a new product and he is eager to get to the bottom of how it works. He took up Information Practices as additional subject in class 11 and 12 for learning programming skills. He also worked on a project on school data base management during his summer vacations. And finally, he got into the Computer Science and Engineering course at IIT- Delhi. His interests lie in reasoning, logic and mathematics. In physics, where one has to imagine a situation and logically approach a question, deepened his interest in Sciences. He is excited by Computer Science since it is a vast field which is constantly evolving due to enhancement of technology, better ideas and innovations. Artificial Intelligence is one of his favorite fields. Upon completion of his graduation at IIT, he plans to pursue higher courses in the field of computer sciences, preferably from foreign university. Post that, he wishes to work in India as an entrepreneur with new innovative ideas. The idea of giving it back to the society forms the base of all his work. He is an active member of NSS in IIT. Working for a social cause has always been his passion.
Shobhit Gupta: IIT Delhi
Technology for development
Shobhit belongs to a middle-class family from Rajasthan. His father is an Engineer in a Thermal Power Plant and his mother is a science teacher and teacher in-charge in Hindi medium of S.T.D.A.V. Public School. His elder brother completed engineering 5 years ago from IIT Kanpur and is currently finishing his MS degree in Computer Science from Stanford University, California, USA.
From the very beginning, he was encouraged by his parents to think logically and understand the basic concepts while studying. Being a technology freak, he was always interested in Computer Science and to get this branch in the premier institute like IIT-D, he worked very hard for 2 years to crack the JEE and get a good rank.
His interest in Computer Science deepened when he used to interact with his brother and watched his work. The unlimited scope of the field fascinated him. In Computer Science, he enjoys coding and algorithms and robotics the most. He is also very eager to study Computer Science and learn various courses that IITD has to offer.
He wants to help the underprivileged part of society by working in the research group of IITD – ACT4D (Appropriate Computing Technology for Development) and Information and Communication Technologies for Development.
Vishal Mohanty: IIT Madras
Using technology for a global cause
'Dreams are not something you see during your sleep, rather they wake you up from sleep". – APJ Abdul Kalam.
Right from his childhood, Vishal was encourages by his father to get admission in IIT - the topmost educational institute of our country.
He has always been interested in studies. When he was younger, his teacher used to give him problems for a higher grade and Vishal would be engrossed for hours in solving them. He has always been fascinated with computers since he was a kid, and therefore chose Computer Science as his subject at IIT-M.
He was quite inspired by one a novel 'Cell' by Robin Cook. The concept of an implanted microchip in this book reminded him of Nicola Tesla's vision, 'when wireless technology is perfectly applied, the whole earth would be converted to a single brain' - the concept of cell phone in 1926. A germ of an idea begun to take shape in his mind since then about designing a complete software package including a microchip through which he intends to eventually address global terrorism. He wishes to contribute to betterment of the society in due course of time.
Viswanadhuni Dinesh: IIT Madras
Making technology accessible to all
Viswanadhuni is from a small district in Machilipatnam area of Andhra Pradesh. He used to study in the small village school till class 8th. The turning point in his life proved to be when his father got a transfer to Gudiwada whch enables him to join a bigger school. Without this shift, his life would have been different. He managed to get into one of the best coaching institutes in the country. He worked very hard for the next two years to get into IIT.
He has always noticed that the people in his surroundings were behind times when it came to using computers, smart phones etc. It was this observation that acted as the inspiration for him to choose his present course – Computer Science and Technology. He believes that present day world is a smart world. It pains him to see that even today people in villages do not have access to this advanced technology. They are still using outdated machines, and struggling to make ends meet. He wants to use the knowledge he gains to contribute to improve the present living conditions of the people.
He has many plans after the completion of his course. Firstly, he wants to get a good job to enhance his experience. He then wishes to start his own educational institutions. He can truly empathize with the difficulties of the poor, as he has seen them at close in his own life. His ideal in life is to live for others, and wishes to establish voluntary associations to take care of the poor and the needy.
Abhijeet Singh : XLRI Jamshedpur
A wider perspective
Born and brought up in Vadodara, Abhijeet had the fortuity to attend one of the best schools in the city, which specially promoted excellence and holistic development amongst its students from an early age. This emphasis resonated with his parents as well, who sought to nurture in him the drive for all-rounded growth.
He completed his graduation from one of the best institutes in the country – IIT (BHU). His interest in engineering led him to Varanasi to pursue mechanical engineering and subsequently do a job in the same field. Having experienced the technical discipline of business, he wished to learn the more functional side of it to be able to look at the bigger picture and gain more perspective.
Pursuing an MBA from XLRI, Abhijeet's long term goal is to become a successful leader in the commerce sphere. He aims to accomplish this by equipping himself with the requisite skills, knowledge and exposure needed to become one. A larger sense of purpose that motivates him is working for the benefit of society. His professional goal is to work for a company that offers him the opportunity to learn and lead, grow and develop, and add value to the larger realm of things around us.
Kiran Kanthavar : XLRI Jamshedpur
An automobile revolution
Kiran summarises his childhood in one sentence: "Leave no screw unturned". His earliest memories are of tinkering with his father's toolbox, and helping him repair his old Chetak scooter.
12 years later, he found himself fully covered in grease and dirt, tightening the last few bolts of Asia's first turbo-charged single-seater race car – Ayaan. Having chosen mechanical engineering at BITS Pilani specifically to study automobiles, he attributes much of his learning to his stint as the captain of the 25 member team that designed, built and raced Ayaan at the Formula Student Hungary, 2012.
Post graduation, he joined Bajaj Auto Limited as an R&D engineer where he performance-tuned their first indigenous fuel-injected bike – Pulsar 200RS. During his time there he interacted with top leaders whom he came to respect immensely for their insights. He realised that one of the cornerstones of their expertise was a solid management education. Kiran decided to pursue an MBA to supplement his technical expertise in automobiles with a clear understanding of the principles of management, which led to his enrollment in XLRI,Jamshedpur.
With these two strong pillars as a foundation, Kiran want to make an impact in the automobile industry. The opportunities of innovation excite him, and the modern challenges of safety and sustainability make him even more determined to be a driver of change.
Shreya P. Shikarkhane : XLRI Jamshedpur
Big dreams and bigger responsibilities
Shreya grew up in the small town of Alibag. It taught her not just about nature, but also hardship, resilience, fair competition and success. Her determination and desire drove her to excellence as she bagged middle and high school scholarships.
She narrates a story of when there were good wooden courts to play badminton in Alibag, but no coaching facilities. Making the most of the short training she received during a summer vacation in Pune, she raised her game and added to the skills of her teammates. This helped develop camaraderie within her team and they managed to reach the state level. It made her emerge as a confident individual and strengthened her belief that achieving any dream is possible through effort.
Her father worked in a public sector undertaking and she was always fascinated with his work, which involved huge scales of operation and shouldering the responsibility for a great number of people. A core-engineering education appealed to her as she believed it would develop her logical and analytical skills, which seemed to be the major qualities of the top managers in her father's company.
Upon graduating, she decided to join Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) to gain practical experience before deciding on her next step. At BPCL, she was responsible for the engineering activities of 106 retail outlets, which included business planning, finance and administration, co-ordination and interface, materials management, and quality and safety. Today, she is convinced that a general managerial training will give her a well-rounded perspective and insight to lead a Fortune 500 company, which is her dream.
Abhishek Babbar: Nalsar Univerity of Law
A means to an end
Abhishek Babbar, the eldest child of a government accounts officer and a middle school Hindi teacher, sees his studying law as a means to an end. He intends to join the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) after he graduates from law school and contribute his bit to the betterment of society. He can recall the pains his parents went through to teach him and he remembers particularly the rewards he got—books and educational CD-ROMs. Abhishek was thrilled and read voraciously. This implanted in him a love for literature and philosophy, and then he would ask more questions and debate concepts.
His analytic mind fed his intellectual curiosity and he soon realised that the answers he sought could not be obtained only through academics. He sees law as the answer. He wants to be part of a framework that delivers solutions and to apply his knowledge to broader social causes. He believes that joining the civil service will enable him to use his knowledge to improve the lot of the marginalised.
Abhishek believes his most important asset is his ability to inspire trust. As a school prefect he was the interface between the teachers and students in his school. He encouraged many students to take on roles of responsibility and contribute fresh ideas to deal with problems. This gave him a sense of pride. Taking part in public speaking exercises in school showed him the power of words and their effect on others. He reasoned that action would have an even greater effect. And what could be a better route to action than the civil service?
Aishwarya Birla: Nalsar Univerity of Law
In pursuit of consistency
Aishwarya Birla has uprooted from various parts of the country time and time again. She studied in eight schools and has never stayed long enough to bond well. Consequently, she claims she "demands" consistency of herself. Her academic record will endorse that. She has had a well rounded school life with achievements in various subjects, including dance. Now, her aim is to uplift society, as best she can, through education for all. She intends to use education to help people to transcend socio-economic barriers and celebrate differences.
Aishwarya believes ignorance is the biggest bane of society. Education will bring with it a two-pronged benefit—literacy and civic awareness. She says it empowers all but favours none. She hopes to eventually find her way to the United Nations to further her vision of education for all. She believes she can make her dream a reality through the study of law.
She was inspired to study law by her aunt, who is a lawyer. Struck by her aunt's way of thinking and communication, she figured that some day she would do the same. She developed a fascination for law as a subject because of its very nature—she perceives it as inter-disciplinary, dynamic, structured and yet flexible and accommodating. Aishwarya's parents, both professionals, encouraged her to follow her heart and fulfil her ambitions with fearlessness, perseverance and dedication. That is exactly what she intends to do.
Nishanth Vasanth Kumar: Nalsar Univerity of Law
A lawyer's route to medicine
He grew up in a family of doctors—both parents are doctors—who grew disillusioned by the healthcare system. This sparked frequent debates on issues like science and social conscience. Consequently, Nishant set his heart on biomedical engineering. He invented an automated intravenous fluid indicator, which was one of six inventions in the world to be selected for the Google Global Science Fair. During field trials he realised that his noble intentions to use the invention in war zones and slums would come to nought when the product hit the market as the invention would be patented and sold for large sums of money. Consequently it would be beyond the reach of the common people. This would defeat the very purpose of the fluid indicator.
He says he decided to "divorce science and marry law". He believes a career in law would help him to ensure access to basic resources for the needy. He hopes to one day work with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO), one of the 17 specialised agencies of the UN, negotiating with Big Pharma to develop socio-legal frameworks on various issues.
Nishanth's years of debating in school and his dabbling in various leadership roles taught him lessons he is unlikely to forget. He learned that a team's output empowers both the team members and the larger social collective. He co-founded and ran two NGOs and learned that running organisations calls for funding and endorsement, which can only come through negotiating. He believes a law degree is best suited to his temperament.
Prabhanjan Kumar Singh: Nalsar Univerity of Law
In pursuit of his calling
An honest process of self-discovery during senior school, a drive to further develop his skills along with the inspiration and support received from his family impacted the choice of Prabhanjan's present course of study.
Coming from a joint family of professionals from various fields ranging from medicine, engineering, management to law and public service, he had the opportunity to closely evaluate various professions. While the conventionally coveted professions of medicine and engineering were high on the radar, Prabhanjan was always motivated to discover and pursue his own calling.
He was inclined towards public speaking, debating and writing since his school days, and has demonstrated his strength in these through excelling in various competitions. The prospect of honing his analytical reasoning and oratory skills works as a strong motivation for him. Moreover, he was truly inspired by his grandfather, who created an immensely positive impact in the lives of many, as lawyer first and later on as a politician. A self-introspection made him realize that law was the perfect blend of his inspiration and skills, making it most obvious career choice.
He is keen to evolve through the course of his undergraduate student life, while remaining true to his core values and beliefs. After completing law, he intends to use his education not only to acquire financial freedom, but also find a purpose. In order to achieve that higher goal, he intends to simultaneously dedicate his energy for the legal empowerment of those who need it the most.
Upasana P: Nalsar Univerity of Law
Career with a social cause
Upasana comes from a family with diverse professional accomplishments – her grandfather is an accountant, father an engineer while mother is a teacher. Since childhood, her family has laid great emphasis on pursuing a career that not only ensures financial independence, but serves a social cause.
There was a time when medicine was the most obvious career choice for her. However, this belief was quickly dispelled after a stint at a coaching institute for engineering and medical entrance preparation. She realized that she did not feel the same passion for science that she felt while participating in various debates and declamation contests at school. Her resolve was strengthened when she had the opportunity to witness the socio-political challenges faced by with the inhabitants of a local village in Chhattisgarh first hand. Soon after this interaction, she learnt that one of her acquaintances had recently joined NLSIU. She started looking for more information about the institution and law as a career. The more she read, the more she was convinced that law fit the bill perfectly. It was the amalgamation of her passion and her professional ambitions.
She believes that a law school education will empower her to work with people on all levels - to help them to re-dress their grievances and have their voices heard on a larger platform. Her aspiration is to make the judicial system more accessible to the underprivileged.
Abhiroop Saha: National Law School of India University
Reforming the legal system
For Abhiroop, the starting point of the journey towards law was a speech he had to give in school about the Aarushi Tulwar murder case. He began researching for the material for the same. His primary motive at the time was to get good marks. However, as he delved deeper in the material, he began to appreciate the intricacies of the case. This proved to be a turning point in his life – he was certain that he wanted pursue law as a career path. What struck him the most was the concept of media trials and how the entire nation was gripped by the case. It made him realize the importance of law to the society. He immediately began to gather information about law and legal education. Then came the very first challenge: convincing his parents to let him pursue law.
Born to scientist parents, it was naturally expected of him to pursue a profession in the field of science. For the first time in his life, he sincerely used all his persuasive skills, and was successful in convincing his parents. It was indeed a tiny glimpse of a future he had decided for himself. Two years of hard work followed, and he achieved his target of getting into NLSIU. Any doubts in his mind about pursuing law were dispelled the day he saw his proud parents' smiling faces at the NLSIU orientation.
After completion of his degree, he wants to go into criminal litigation since this aspect of law fascinates him the most. He believes, this is the best way to fight for the poor and needy, which is one of his major aims. Reforming the legal system of India through legal education and professional career is one of his long-term objectives.
Akash Jain : National Law School of India University
Using law for people's benefit
Akash comes from a small town in Madhya Pradesh. He had never thought of choosing law as a profession since the range of career options was limited and most of the people there followed the beaten path. What influenced him were the everyday incidents that took place around him. For instance, he used to frequently hear the plight of an old lady, who was troubled and almost starved by her own sons for her property. These were the moments when was moved to work for the cause of people and society, and resulted in his decision to pursue law. With extraordinary support from his parents, he began the journey towards becoming a lawyer.
Over time, reading about eminent lawyers and discussions with seniors about their life at law school made him realize how fulfilling and challenging this profession can be. The dynamism and vastness of law ignited his desire to explore its depths.
Akash wants to use his legal education as a tool to bring about changes that will actually reach and impact the world around him He envisions joining the administrative services to strive for better implementation of laws so that the benefits percolate down to every section of the society. During his 5 years at law school, he plans to imbibe as much knowledge as he can while exploring the diverse facets of law in order to take his dreams forward.
Aman Deep Borthakur : National Law School of India University
An altruistic career
He has always been an avid reader. Over time, he developed an interest in quizzing and debating and went on to do quite well at interschool competitions. He developed a lasting passion for these activities. His performance in the entire schooling period is a reflection of his desire to excel, which has been firmly imbibed in him by his family and teachers.
Although medicine and engineering seemed obvious choices while thinking about a suitable career, what appealed to him most was law. It was a perfect blend of his passion for reading, writing and public speaking along with a career in the legal profession. It was reminiscent of civics classes he was first introduced to the Constitution and learnt about the Fundamental Rights.
Incidentally, the fumbling lawyer Jagdish Tyagi "Jolly' from the movie Jolly LL.B had somehow left a lasting impression on his mind. The raw persuasion (or rather emotion) that he brought to his arguments arguing for the rights of the poor victim of an outrageous crime, made him appreciate law as an altruistic profession. He set his sights on NLSIU and prepared with single-minded determination.
Presently, litigation continues to fascinate him considering the impact that the judiciary has had on the society at large as an active instrument of change, and the role played out by lawyers in the entire process. He begins his years at NLSIU with an open mind, with a desire to excel and contribute towards a cause.
Avinash Vittal Rao : National Law School of India University
Making policies for the perfect society
Avinash comes from a family of business people from a small town called Davanagere. His grandfather, a social activist, is his first role model who instilled strong moral values in him. His mother is also a social worker. The debates that his parents used to have on the dinner table about various government policies piqued his interest towards policy making.
He always intended to complete his higher studies in one of the finest institutions in the world and then join the government to formulate policies for the twenty first century India. The making of laws has been his fascination. He believes laws have the power to mould the way society thinks and if perfectly crafted without any selfishness they can bring great change. Abraham Lincoln, a lawyer and a statesman is his role model.
Avinash's first tryst with law was when he went for a conference in Delhi. He met Kapil Sibal, who was the HRD minister back then, and other dignitaries in the field of education. He noted that each and every person on the dais had a legal education. That was when he learnt the power legal education bestows upon an individual to make an impact society. It led to development of immense fondness for legal literature and legal movies. John Grisham's books filled his book racks. He fell in love with the subject that fit in so perfectly with his life goals.
But law entrance exams were unheard of in his town. It is the support of his parents and their trust in his decision that has motivated him. It is this quote from Steve Jobs that inspired him: "Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition, they somehow already know what you want to become".
It is the making of laws more than the practice of law that fascinates Avinash. After his 5 years at NLS, he plans to go for his higher studies, and indulge in the art of policy-making thereafter. He aspires to serve his motherland through his work.
Chitwan Sharma: National Law School of India University
Justice for everyone
Chitwan hails from Shivpuri, a very small town in the state of Madhya Pradesh. Shivpuri, or any other hinterland is very differrent from any of the metropolitans. Growing up there, he realized that people are unaware of their rights - legal as well as fundamental. This lack of knowledge of basic rights is a hurdle in their way of securing justice for themselves.
Law makes people aware of their rights. Irrespective of their background, people can secure justice for themselves, and this what he is deeply passionate about. His background has allowed him to see the reality at the grass root level. He has seen injustice being meted out to daily wage labourers, who did not get their wages on time; injustice being done to villagers who could not get subsidized grains and other instances of people not getting what they had a right on. This was the main driving force for choosing law. He was deeply disturbed when he learnt when he heard that one of his relatives poisoned to death just because he demanded a legal right from his senior. This moved him and he finally decided to fight for justice, not only for his family, but for every person who seeks justice and demands his right to be given to him. Chitwan decided to take up law and give way to his passion. As a result he took the CLAT and managed to get into NLSIU.
The objective he seeks to attain is to get justice delivered to all those who need it and at the same timeearn sufficiently. He plans to do this through litigation with a pro bono element in it. He has come here with an open mind with regard to what field he would litigate in, determined to chase his passion.
Hrishika Jain : National Law School of India University
The immense power of law
Hrishika is from Bhilai in Chhattisgarh,from a family with no legal background. Within her family, humanities were always the road less travelled. Her interest in law began in the political science classes in school, and it was there that she had her first unsettling brush with the schism between the positive and the normative in law.
In a field trip in 2008, her class had gone to visit a gram panchayat near the school. Although the sarpanch' soffice was reserved for women, the woman sarpanch was veiled and sat in a corner of the room. The students' curious questions were answered by a group of men, headed by the woman's husband. This experience left Hrishika disappointed, because the law seemed to be empowering only on paper.
She started considering law as a career option in 2012, and it was then that she happened to read "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, which is a story of a young girl's perspective of racism and how a single man took on centuries of racial bias to enable a black man to get a fair trial. This made her recall the completely contrasting image she had of the panchayat. While reconciling the two images, instead of the impression of being disappointed by the law, she recognized the immense power that law can provide to a lone voice, and that it is often the citizens that disappoint the ideal of law. It was this realization that provided the final spark.
Hrishika finds it hard to imagine law as only a career. She says she cannot claim her motives to be only altruistic, but one of the major objectives of this career choice was to do her best to reconcile, as an individual, the dichotomy that unsettled her idea of law, and to ensure that the law in letter always follows the law in spirit. While presently the areas of human rights law and criminal law intrigue her, she aims to make the best of all opportunities that come her way, while always considering the original inspiration that set off the spark for law as her career.
Joshua David Nazareth: National Law School of India University
Standing firmly by ethics
One of the earliest memories that Joshua has of his grandmother is when he was around the age of three, sitting in her lap, as she indulgently told him stories of what she called 'simpler times'. He'd beg her to tell him stories of his grandfather, who had been a criminal lawyer and who Joshua had come to idolize, even though he'd only heard of him through tales. Patiently, he'd sit at the feet of people in his family and listen to how his grandfather exemplified the ethics he'd been told every human being should have. These moments were his first tryst with the concept of what a lawyer should be.
Fast forward to more than a decade later, and Joshua was confronted with the choice of the person he wanted to become. Thinking back to those childhood moments, he felt that if he is able to leave a fraction of the impact his grandfather left on the people around him, he shall have succeeded in life. He thought back to the times he'd heard about how his grandfather go out of his way to help the people he thought were innocent, and Joshua realized that that was the kind of person he wanted to be. A few years later, he read a book by Zia Modi, titled "10 Judgments That Changed India". While the list was definitely not an exhaustive one, the book made him realize that the legal system in India is in a state of flux, and a lawyer is one of the few people who can change it for the better.
Joshua admits that his motives for wanting to become a lawyer might not be completely selfless. However, he says he's sure that whatever his journey at law school makes him want to do after five years, he will always strive to emulate the man his grandfather was.
Tanushree Shrikant Ghosh: National Law University
Working for children's rights
Owing to an inclination to social sciences, Tanushree opted for humanities at St. Xavier's College. The college being a Jesuit institution lays great emphasis on voluntary service. Accordingly, she interned at 'Centre for Social Action', an NGO aimed at catering to the needs of underprivileged and vulnerable children. In one of the workshops organized by the NGO, the children were assigned an activity to present a pictorial depiction of issues plaguing their respective localities.
The drawings reflected their keen understanding of complex social problems. This incident enabled Tanushree to gain insight into their untapped potential. The experience at the NGO had such an indelible impact that she was driven to read articles on child labour, trafficking and exploitation. Prior to the stint at the NGO, she considered law as an alternative career option. However, the alarm raised at the injustice meted out to vulnerable children and the vicious cycle of apathy and abuse induced in her the determination to pursue law. She believes a career in human rights law with a special focus on children's rights would enable her to create a positive impact in the lives or underprivileged and vulnerable children.
Drawing inspiration from Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi, Tanushree envisions herself as effectuating desirable changes in the domain of children's rights at the international arena. Since she aspires to join an international organization, she believes that involvement in debates, moots, panel discussions and internships at NLU Jodhpur would enable her to acquire the requisite skill set. After the completion of her undergraduate studies, she plans to enroll for the Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy program at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.
Arindum Nayak: WB National University of Juridical Sciences
A yearning to make a difference
He is the state topper in the English Olympiad and the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT) in 2015 and during his school years he hosted events, took part in cricket tournaments, model UN and drama. In short, Arindam Nayak is an all-rounder, proficient in academics and extra-curricular activities. When he was in standard XI he started a project, Just Juvenile, which aimed to prevent juvenile crime.
But besides his obvious success in various fields, Arindam has a burning desire to make a difference to society. He believes this quality comes from his father being a civil servant and his mother a social activist. Indeed, that is why he chose to get into the legal profession even though most of his friends might have opted for medicine or engineering. "Serve the people. Die for your country, live like a legend." Arindam says these principles define his choices.
Consequently, he would rather qualify as a lawyer, undertake litigation and become a good parliamentarian to make a difference to society. He would rather take this route than the route of corporate law even though it offers attractive remunerative packages. He believes that caring for people is the best way to advocate change in society.
Arindam welcomes the intellectual stimulation the study of law offers. But more important, he believes law holds the key to solving many social ills.
Mohammad Zaid: WB National University of Juridical Sciences
A case for debating
Mohammad Zaid has always had an inclination to debate things. His favourite subjects were those that most people simply accepted as the norm. So, when his elder brother, who is about a year older than he is, got a fully funded scholarship, complete with stipend, to the prestigious Nanyang Technological University, his parents figured he would follow in his footsteps. But that was not to be.
Mohammad followed his calling and chose law. He figured that he was a speaker who made people listen to him because of his compelling arguments. That was not a hunch—throughout his school career, he excelled at debating, having won several debates at the national level and one even at the international level.
He is a man with a convincing argument and a determined mind. When he suggested in his school, La Martinere, Lucknow, that it hosts its own debating contest, his senior ridiculed him. His teachers did not quite scoff at the idea, but they were not exactly co-operative. Mohammad was not, however, one to be put off. He put together a team that set about the task. Within three years, when Mohammad was in his final year, the event finally took shape and the first Claude Martin Debate was held.
He wants to be the "voice of activism", working towards positive change and of course, to dispel a notion that lawyers are no more than "liars".
Eshita Razdan: FMS
Inspiring women the world over
With a degree in electronics and telecommunication and keen on learning and improving, Eshita's primary reason to pursue an MBA was doing something meaningful for the rest of her life, that drove her to give her best as well as kept her happy and satisfied professionally. Her college senior, who was from a prestigious management institute, had a profound influence on her. She was motivated by his confidence and his changed outlook towards life and wanted to see that change in her as well.
She enrolled in FMS, which being a prestigious management institute attracted the best professors and students from across the nation. She found it to be full of enthusiastic individuals with a drive to learn and contribute to the society in one way or the other. This opportunity to grow exponentially had driven Eshita to FMS in the first place.
After graduating, she plans to get into consulting so she can work in various different areas across industries and keep challenging herself to learn more. Eshita's dream is to be a more visible figure, so she can inspire women the world over to take their dreams seriously and let nothing dissuade them from achieving them. She cites the example of Sheryl Sandberg, who is her inspiration for the same.
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The unique Everest Base Camp trekking via Gokyo Lake crossing over the challenging Cho La pass (5,330m/17,487ft) is one of the most adventurous treks to the home of the legendary Sherpa people that follows along the Dudh Koshi River to its source-the Gokyo Lake to the west of the Everest Base Camp. The trek starts at Lukla after a 35-minute scenic flight continuing towards Namche Bazaar and all the way to Gokyo Valley, Chola Pass, Kalapatthar and Mount Everest Base Camp. Hence this Gokyo-Chola pass-Everest Base Camp trekking is also known as the Everest Circuit trek. This exceptional trek rewards with the panoramic views of Cho Oyo, Everest, Makalu and the dramatic landscape from the summit of Gokyo Ri (5,360m/17,586ft). One of the major attractions of this trek is the Gokyo Lake situated in the Gokyo Valley at the west of Everest Base Camp. An excursion to the fourth and fifth lakes would be an extra adventure from Gokyo. Gokyo Ri is considered as the best view point in the entire Everest Region for more spectacular views than that from the Kalapatthar. We are then ready for the return trek to Lukla following through the beautiful Thyangboche monastery and Namche Bazaar.
Weather in the Everest region:
Trekking in the Everest region is possible throughout the year however the best times to visit are from the beginning of March to mid May and from the beginning of September to mid November. The winters are very cold and summers are wet. April and early May is a good time to see the trees bursting into bloom, with Rhododendrons, adding a spectacular splash of color to the landscape. The views are simply great after the summer monsoons have cleared the atmosphere of dust.
High Altitude Warning:
Altitude sickness is a serious concern in the Everest region that can affect even young and healthy people. The only medicine to high altitude sickness is to descend, descend and descend. Headache is the most common symptom and there are other signs of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) for different people but include fatigue, dizziness, loss of appetite, nausea or vomiting, difficulty in walking and rattling breath.
We are very much concerned of your safety and our guides are aware of such situations how they should be dealt with.
Experience Required:
We have categorized Gokyo Valley Chola Pass trekking including Everest Base Camp as hard trek and are suitable for passionate trekkers who have courage to walk at least 5-7 hours each day. You might even need to walk 7 to 8 hours or more on some days. However, if you have passions, good health with average physical fitness and self confidence, this trek can be completed successfully. Regular exercising and jogging for some weeks prior to the trip is a good idea to enhance your strength and stability. If you have any previous hiking experience, that would be an asset. It is important that you consult with your doctor before making decision for this trek if you have any medical problems in the history. Participants with pre-existing medical conditions such as heart, lungs or any other serious disease should inform Trekking Encounters before booking the trek.
How We Make This Trip Responsible?
Trekking Encounters promotes Responsible Tourism and strictly follows the responsible travel guide lines. Read more...
We set off early morning from our hotel to domestic airport for Lukla flights. After a 35 minute scenic mountain flight by a small aircraft, we land in Lukla airport (Tenzing-Hillary airport). Today's trek from Lukla to Phakding is only about 3-4 hours. The trail from Lukla is seen broad and clear. From the airstrip it heads north through a kani (arch) and then slopes downhill to a low agricultural land. A splendid view of the difficult trekking peak Kusum Kangaru (6,367m/20,889ft) is seen while walking ahead. The trail is rich with teahouses, prayer wheels, gompas (Buddhist monastery) and huge boulders decorated with Buddhist mantra (prayer chant). Finally we arrive in the village separated in two parts with about a 10 minute trek between them, and a long suspension bridge over the Dudh Koshi River. This village is called Phakding where we stay overnight.
Today's trek is about 5-6 hours. After crossing the suspension bridge at Phakding, we trek for 2-3 hours following the climbs steeply up rough stone steps before reaching the long paved Monjo village on the edge of Sagarmatha National Park. In addition to the lodges, single-roofed houses and a few basic shops, there is a small gompa nearby. The trek from Monjo to Namche Bazaar will take another 3-4 hours. There is an entrance to the Sagarmatha National Park where an entry permit must be showed or obtained and kept safely for showing on exiting the park. Once passed through the gate, the trail drops to river level which is set among fields of huge cabbages, crosses to the west bank of the Dudh Koshi river on a long suspension bridge and passes teahouses and lodges in Jorsale (2,775m/9,104ft). This is the last available accommodation before Namche Bazaar. About halfway up, at a bend on this ascent we should get our first brief view of Mt. Everest, Nuptse and Lhotse. As our trek continues up mostly among trees, we will eventually come to a group of buildings, then broad stone steps and finally arrive in one of the lower streets of our overnight stop Namche Bazaar. This town is known as the Sherpa "Capital" and gateway to the Mt. Everest. Namche Bazaar has many facilities – a post office, banks, ATMs, money exchange centre, a health post, a dental clinic, numerous shops, restaurants, cyber cafés and telephone facilities, a gompa and several chortens. The headquarters of the Sagarmatha National Park and a military post are situated above the town. We stay two overnights in Namche Bazaar for acclimatization and excursion around. Trekking time 5-6 hours.
Today we stay in Namche Bazaar for acclimatisation. Because of the altitude, it will be necessary for us to spend a minimum of two nights here. On this day, we have the choice of just relaxing and roaming round this interesting hill town, or alternatively trekking round a nearby 3-4 hour circuit with stunning views. This day helps a lot for acclimatisation for our further trek to Gokyo, Chola pass and Everest Base Camp.
Today our trek starts by passing the town's gompa and continues round the steep hillside to cross the rim where there is a profusion of mani stones, carved boulders and prayer flags. The trail then proceeds through pine and juniper woods to reach the village of Phurte (3,390m/11,122ft) which has simple teahouses, lodges, traditional Sherpa homes, a mani wall and a chorten. The trail now loses height, winds round several wooded spurs, passes through a kani (arch), crosses a wooden cantilever bridge and enters the village of Thesiyo. From this point the route starts to rise, passes another chorten and reaches the large strung-out village of Thamo (3,493m/11,460ft) with a school, mani stones, prayer flags, lodges and teahouses. Now climbing fairly steeply the trail passes through a number of houses at Samde and reaches a point from which there is a fine view to the east of the trekking peak of Pharchamo (6,187m/20,300ft). The trail now makes a short steep descent, passes a rock face decorated with three brightly painted Buddhas, crosses a bridge over the Bhote Koshi River, zigzags up to run alongside the Thame Khola (River) and comes to the walled fields and typical Sherpa homes of Thame, our overnight stop. Tenzing Norgay Sherpa who ascended Mt. Everest with Sir Edmund Hillary in 1953, spent his childhood in Thame. There is a school in the village, built by Sir Edmund Hillary's Himalayan Trust and to the west a gompa perched almost 150 meters above the fields. Thame is the village where the Everest region and the Rolwalling valley join. Trekking time 4-5 hours.
Our trek today is to reach the famous Khumjung village. Khumjung is the traditional Sherpa village and there are many Sherpa climbers from Khumjung village. Trekking time 3-4 hours.
Our trek now enters into the Gokyo valley. The trail climbs through rhododendron forest and comes to a point where, for the first time, we will be able to see Mt. Cho Oyu (8,201m/26,907ft) at the head of the valley. The route now makes twisting ascents through woodland, climbs more steeply into the open, crosses a number of streams, traverses a yak pasture with a solitary herder's hut, crosses a minor ridge and enters our overnight stop, the lodge settlement of Dole. Dole began as a kharka (a yak pasture) with a few herders' huts, but once Gokyo became a trekking destination, lodges soon established more rapidly. Trekking time 4-5 hours.
Today's trek is a short and pleasant one and we can relax and take things easy. Because of the demands of altitude acclimatisation, we do not go further. Beyond the first of Dole's lodges the trail goes downhill, crosses a stream, swings right to climb a hillside and crosses pastureland with dry stone walls and several yak herders' huts. The trail continues past a few stone-built huts and contours along the hillside, descends into a small basin with more walls, stone huts and lodges, then just under two hours from Dole reaches Luza (4,360m/14,305ft) which is also a kharka (yak pasture). Because the lodges at Dole and Machhermo can be very busy in the autumn trekking season, it has become a possible site for overnight accommodation. From Luza, the path climbs out of the northern side of the basin and crosses more pastureland bordered by a chorten and prayer flags. In every direction here the views are spectacular. Eventually the trail slopes down into the valley, crosses a stream and rises up a short slope into the yak pastures and lodges of our overnight stop Machhermo. Trekking time 3-4 hours.
Today will be another relatively short trek across broad pastures, through narrow clefts with steeply climbing trails, past two or three lakes and through an ablation valley beside the Ngozumpa Glacier. An ablation valley is one formed by the melting of glacier ice. The trail climbs round a hillside spur, where lofty Cho Oyu will again come into view and soon we will reach another kharka with some simple lodges. Directly ahead of us at this point, we will see the terminal moraine (ridge of rocks) that closes off the Ngozumpa Glacier. The trail now goes briefly downhill, then climbs through the aforementioned ablation valley on the western side of the glacier, goes steeply up stone steps and crosses a stream on a short wooden bridge. A succession of cairns now marks the route through a stony landscape, with a small tarn (Mountain Lake) on the left. The valley now broadens and the trail reaches a second larger tarn Taboche Tsho (4,740m/15,552ft). Beyond this point the trail passes through a narrower section of the ablation valley and comes to a third tarn Dudh Pokhari (4,750m/15,584ft), with prayer flags on its eastern shore. Dudh Pokhari celebrates a fair every year during Janaipoornima, a popular Hindu festival falls in July-August. Just beyond this lake we will come to our overnight stop Gokyo, the valley's last lodge settlement. Trekking time 3-4 hours.
We spend two nights in Gokyo to help with altitude acclimatisation. In the morning, if weather permits, we climb the hill that rises above the northern shore of Lake Dudh Pokhari, called Gokyo Ri. The summit is marked by large cairns and prayer flags. Also from the top, Gokyo's turquoise lake, far below has a picturesque view. An excursion to fourth and fifth lake is recommended for passionate trekkers.
Today we continue our trek to Thangnak (Dragnag), at a point beyond the southern end of Lake Taboche Tsho, where a cairn marks a fork in the trail, we branch left, make any easy rise across the slope and crest the moraine wall at a saddle. From here we will get a splendid view northwards along the length of the Ngozumpa Glacier to Cho Oyu and also to Cholatse and Taboche in the south-east. The way now descends onto the glacier, weaves round ice cliffs, over rocky humps, skirts small lakes and crosses flats of glacial sand. Here there are impressive views in every direction. Having crossed the glaciers, the route descends into the ablation valley below our overnight stop Thangnak, which consists of three very basic simple lodges and a couple of huts. Trekking time 3-4 hours.
Today the trail climbs steadily to a cairn on the crest of a moraine ridge, descends into a valley and arrives at a rough area of rocks and boulders, sometimes known as Cho La Base Camp and also as Phedi (4,930m/16,175ft) which means "at the foot of the hill". We will now stay close to the right hand rock wall where cairns indicate the route down. The views ahead will now be magnificent. The steep descent now continues down rocky "steps" to reach an easy path, which will take us to the bed of the valley. The remainder of the trek to our overnight stop Dzonglha is through this beautiful valley and we will be able to enjoy the stunning views. Dzonglha consists of a few simple lodges and camping grounds in a walled enclosure. There is a terrific close view of Cholatse's north-east face (6,335m/20,785ft) seen from Dzonglha and below to the south lies Chola Tsho lake (4,590m/15,059ft). We stay overnight at Dzonglha. Trekking time 6-7 hours.
Today we continue the trek along the moraine of the glacier. The views of Kalapatthar and Pumori on the way are truly magnificent. The trail now enters the Khumbu valley, crosses to the western side from which one gets a clear view of the massive Nuptse (7,861m/25,791ft) and finally arrives at Lobuche. This is a busy place with trekkers camping in various spots on the far side of the stream and around the lodges. We stay overnight at Lobuche. It can be very cold overnight here. Trekking time 2-3 hours.
Today, we set off to the Everest Base Camp with the trail initially crossing a stream below Lobuche and then progressing along the left-hand side of the valley, before rising to a higher narrower step. Soon we will reach a point where a narrow side valley cuts off to the left. After about 200m it takes us to the "Italian Pyramid", a stone-built lodge and scientific station which collects meteorological and seismic (earthquake) data. Continuing on, the main trail comes to a more open area, climbs a moraine where edelweiss grows on a slope – crosses a sandy stretch, weaves among heaps of moraine, climbs once again and then drops down to Gorakshep. The trail to Base Camp begins just beyond the Gorakshep Lake, runs for some way along the moraine crest and then appears to descend to the Khumbu glacier. Once in the centre of the glacier, the route signs are somewhat dubious – e.g. the occasional cairn of yak dung! – but we will be okay with our experienced guide. Although Everest Base Camp does not provide a view of the world's highest mountain itself, tomorrow's trek will more than compensate for this – today we will get a real close-up of the impressive Khumbu ice fall. The Base Camp can be quite a bustling place with expeditions camping, porters, trekkers and yaks, etc. Having achieved our first goal, and after resting, we will return to Gorakshep for our overnight stay. It consists of three lodges on the rim of a level basin of glacial sand, with the small lake nearby. Tibetan snow cocks chase one another noisily across this sand flat. Although it is very close, Everest is not visible from Gorakshep, however there is a stunning view of the majestic Nuptse, soaring high in the east. We stay overnight at Gorakshep. Trekking time 7-8 hours.
Today's trip is not only literally the "high point" of our entire trek but it also has the absolutely high point with unbelievable views from the summit of Kalapatthar. The long awaited trek starts around 5.00am. The climb takes about 1-2 hours (depending upon the route chosen) to reach the summit. On the arrival at the summit, one can experience the most fantastic sunrise over Mt. Everest. Kalapatthar is a spur of Pumori (7,165m/23,507ft) and in Hindi means "black rock" which is appropriate. It has two summits and two ascent routes, both paths being clearly visible from Gorakshep. The left-hand path which wriggles its way to the secondary summit (5,545m/18,192ft) takes 1-1:30 hours and the other which zig-zags up the eastern flank to the higher summit (5,623m/18,448ft) takes 1:30-2 hours. Neither route is technically difficult. Another alternative is available which takes in both summits, climb the left-hand trail to gain the lower top, marked with a number of slender cairns and then continue along the ridge scrambling over rocks and reach the higher summit with its flutter of prayer flags. From both summits, a truly incredible panorama is spread before you. Although Everest is of course the main focus of attention, the ice cone of Nuptse which from this view point appears higher than Everest, has stunning beauty. Having really soaked up these incredible views we will return downhill to Gorakshep and then continue our trek to Lobuche after breakfast. We stay overnight at Lobuche. Trekking time 5-6 hours.
From Lobuche we start our trek towards southward. We pass through Dughla, re-cross the Khumbu Khola on the wooden bridge and shortly afterwards take the left-hand fork at the road junction and continue on to Dingboche, on the way passing yak-herders' huts at Dusa. Dingboche has a number of lodges, spread among its stone-walled fields. On the western hillside adjacent to the village, there are two large chortens. Dingboche is dominated by the world's fourth highest mountain, Lhotse (8,501m/27,890ft). We stay overnight at Dingboche. Trekking time 3-4 hours.
Today, we have an excursion trip to the Chhukung valley. It is an easy walk climbing up gradually to the small settlement of Chhukung. Along the way, we have great views of Island Peak (6,160m/20,221ft). Island Peak is one of the most popular trekking peaks in Nepal, situated at the top of the Imja valley in the Khumbu region and surrounded by the Imja, Lhotse and Lhotse Shar glaciers. We then retrace our trek to Dingboche for overnight halt. Trekking time 3-4 hours.
We continue our trek southward down the west bank of the Imja Khola, cross a bridge over the Khumbu Khola close to where it is joined by the Imja Khola and proceed down the west bank through Pangboche to Tengboche. Tengboche or Thyangboche Monastery, also known as Dawa Choling Gompa, is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery of the Sherpa community located in the Everest Base Camp trail of Nepal. It is the largest gompa in the Khumbu region which was built in 1916 by Lama Gulu with strong links to its mother monastery known as the Rongbuk Monastery in Tibet. We stay overnight in this beautiful Tengboche village. Trekking time 3-4 hours.
While trekking from Tengboche to Namche Bazaar, a large white chorten is found along the trail to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first ascent of Mount Everest on 29 May 1953. We walk through the rhododendrons and some small settlements on this popular trail and finally reach Namche Bazaar. We stay overnight in Namche Bazaar. Trekking time 4-5 hours.
Again we proceed southward, retracing the route trekked on day 1 and 2, crossing and re-crossing the Dudh Koshi at intervals. We stay overnight in Lukla. Trekking time 6-7 hours.
We take the 35 minute breathtaking flight from Lukla.
Option available for extending your trip with Jungle Safari adventure, white water rafting or a trip of your choice.
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Kathmandu City Tour
Activity: Cultural tour to the World Heritage Sites.
Major sites: Swoyambhunath, Boudhanath, Pashupatinath, Kathmandu/Patan/Bhaktapur Durbar Square and Changunarayan Temple.
Duration: Full/Half day.
Frequency: Tour can be organized in any day and at your suitable time.
Cost: US$ 50 per person. Group discounts available.
Ground transfer: Included by a private vehicle as per group size (Car/Van/Bus).
Guide: English Speaking City Tour Guide included. Additional language Guides are also available on demand.
Meals: Not included.
Entrance fee: Applicable and not included. Ask more details
Mt. Everest Flight
Activity: Mount Everest sightseeing flight.
Duration: One hour.
Frequency: Everyday in the morning between 6am to 9am.
Cost: US$ 224 per person. Group discounts available.
Ground transfer: Included by a private vehicle. Two persons minimum needed.
Airport tax: Included.
Airline: Buddha Air, Simrik Airlines and Yeti Airlines. Ask more details
Jungle Safari in Chitwan National Park
Activities: Jungle safari on elephant-back, jungle walk, canoe ride, jeep drive, experience of Tharu culture.
Accommodation: Resorts, Hotels and Lodges.
Transportation: Private Car included (Kathmandu/Pokhara-Kathmandu).
Meals: Included.
Duration: 3 days and 2 nights.
Cost: Starts from US$ 225 per person. Ask more details
Jungle Safari in Bardia National Park
Activities: Jungle safari on elephant-back, jungle walk, boat ride, jeep drive.
Accommodation: Jungle lodges.
Transportation: Not included.
Meals: Included.
Duration: 4 days and 3 nights.
Cost: Starts from US$ 475 per person. Ask more details
Bird Watching in Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve
Activities: Bird watching, boat ride and wildlife viewing on jeep drive.
Accommodation: Resorts, Tented camps.
Transportation: Not included.
Meals: Included.
Duration: 3 days and 2 nights.
Cost: Starts from US$ 480 per person. Ask more details
Rafting in Nepal
Trishuli River: 2/3 Class –1 Day – 17 Kilometers – Cost starts from US$ 30 per person.
Seti River: 3 Class – 2 Days – 32 Kilometers – Cost starts from US$ 80 per person.
KaliGandaki River: 4 Class – 3 Days – 56 Kilometers – Cost starts from US$ 140 per person.
BhoteKoshi River: 4/5 Class – 2 Days – 18 Kilometers – Cost starts from US$ 85 per person.
- Cost includes: Top quality Rafting equipment, Highly trained Crew, Well organized camping, Hygienic food.
- Transportation: Bus transportation included and depends. Ask more details
Bungy Jumping / Canyoning / Paragliding / Ultralight Flight
We can check and deliver information and cost as per your interest received for Bungy Jumping, Canyoning, Paragliding and Ultralight Flight. Bungy and Canyoning can also be customized together. Ask more details
Shopping Tours
Package available on demand.
Shopping items: Pashmina items, Paubha/Thangka, Woolen Carpets, Root Art, Ceramics, Shaligram (Holy Rocks), Masks of deities, Khukuri, Tea, Spices, Garments and Knitwear, Musical Instruments and Music, Glass Ornaments, Jewelry and Gems, Metal Wares, Sculptures, Wood Carvings, Rudraksha (Rosary), Incense, Natural Buttons, Fiber Products, Wood Game Boards, Fancy Hats, Bamboo Crafts, Bags and Accessories, Leather Articles, Lokta Paper and items made by Lokta, Nepali Dolls, Home Decors, Books and Maps and innumerable other unique items which are found nowhere else. Ask more details
The Everest three passes trek gives an all-round t...
The Gokyo-Renjo La Pass trail is considered as an ...
Chola Pass is one of the most adventurous and hard...

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Windsor police arrested a man late Tuesday after watching him break into a vehicle.
Crook caught red-handed breaking into a van
Windsor police arrested a man late Tuesday after watching him break into a vehicle.
At 11:55 p.m. officers on routine patrol were at University Avenue West and Victoria Avenue, waiting for the traffic signal to turn green.
They heard the sound of breaking glass coming from a nearby parking lot. The officers went to check it out and saw a man leaning into a Dodge van. Police said he pulled a backpack out of the broken window then took off on a bicycle.
The officers stopped him at Park Street and Bruce Avenue and arrested him. Police also found property on him that was stolen from another vehicle.
John Redmile, 46, of Windsor, is charged with mischief under $5,000, theft under $5,000 and two counts of possession of stolen property under $5,000.
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text:
Hello there, partner
You've likely come to this website for one of two reasons:
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Either way, welcome to Grandpa's Notes! This is my daily writing practice that I fully intend on making accessible to anyone who might be curious about what I was up to or thinking about on a particular day.
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